Lakeland Fire Department News

Keeping you informed of what's new with the LFD.

The Lakeland Fire Department conducted the official groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 7 on Monday, November 18th at 1:30 p.m. (3150 Drane Field Road)

Fire Station 7 is estimated to be completed in late 2014. Once the facility is built it will house the recently purchased Fire Engine 71, the two ARFF units, a heavy rescue vehicle and nine personnel on a 24-hour rotation.

Lakeland Fire Chief Gary Ballard said, “Our design team has developed a station that will meet the safety needs of the airport, the needs of our residents and the commercial development around the airport.” He added, “We are very eager to start providing much needed service to the citizens in Southwest Lakeland with the new permanent facility.” It is important to add that the effort to build a new Station 7 was prompted by a grassroots effort by nearby residents of Carillon Lakes after a fire early last year.

The construction costs for Station 7 are $3.5 million. The station once built will be 15,900 sq.ft. and it will house five bays and four fire fighting vehicles. The station is estimated to be completed in late 2014 and it is being funded through City of Lakeland Public Improvement Funds and FDOT Grant funds.

The groundbreaking ceremony also provided a venue for Fire Chief Gary Ballard to announce that the Lakeland Fire Department has improved its ISO Mitigation (Fire Suppression Rating Score). More information in regards to the announcement will become available once the executive summary is provided to the LFD.

On Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Firefighter Steven Connors was promoted to Driver Engineer.

Steve Connors has been an integral part of the LFD since March 29, 2010. Steve understands the importance of duty and service to country very well, having joined the United States Army at the young age of 17 where he went on to serve with the 1st Ranger Battalion and 82nd Airborne Division prior to joining the LFD.

Connors, a Ruskin, Florida native is an avid outdoorsman having spent his childhood fishing and hunting along this great state’s creeks and rivers. He proudly uses that experience and skill to his advantage at the annual Fire Olympics with repeated attempts to dethrone Gilman, Herndon and Brannen.

He is an East Bay High School graduate and has since gone on to receive his Associate of Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College and holds certification in law enforcement, fire standards, and is a paramedic. Steve credits his ability to have become a Driver Engineer to the training and support of his crew and all of his family at the LFD. Steve notes that he will deeply miss his brothers and sisters on B shift due the move from this new opportunity but looks forward to the day he can work closely with them again.

Congratulations to Steven Connors and sincere thanks for his dedicated service.

The Lakeland Fire Department will conduct the official groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 7 on Monday, November 18th at 1:30 p.m. The physical location of Station 7 is 3150 Drane Field Road.

The current station is housed in a temporary facility at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport until the new state of the art fire station is ushered in by late 2014. The building will stand out compared to the department’s other stations due to its modern and environmentally conscious design. Once the facility is built it will house the recently purchased Fire Engine 71, the two ARFF units, a heavy rescue vehicle and nine personnel on a 24-hour rotation.

Lakeland Fire Chief Gary Ballard said, “Our design team has developed a station that will meet the safety needs of the airport, the needs of our residents and the commercial development around the airport.” He added, “We are very eager to start providing much needed service to the citizens in Southwest Lakeland with the new permanent facility.”

The construction costs associated with Station 7 are $3.5 million. The station once built will be 15,900 sq.ft. and it will house five bays and four fire fighting vehicles. The station is estimated to be completed November 2014 and it is being funded through City of Lakeland Public Improvement Funds and FDOT Grant funds.

The public is welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, marking a historic event for the Lakeland Fire Department.

The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) is proud to be able to honor veterans and recognize the many service men and women who have sacrificed very much in name of country and duty. The LFD employs many military veterans from all five branches of service and is excited to be able to participate in the upcoming Lakeland Veterans Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Tower Truck 15 flanked by Fire Administration and Fire Fighting Personnel will lead the parade procession.

In addition to the departments participation in the parade, which has become an annual tradition, the LFD will also be participating in the Lakeland area Honor Flight reception scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 8:00 PM. The event is organized by the Polk County Veterans Council. The reception will be attended by community members, Polk County School's JROTC groups, former military personnel, community organizations like the fire department, and many others to welcome back area WWII veterans who will be returning from visiting the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. .

Particularly exciting is that two of LFD's very own, Lieutenant Harley Wilson and Driver-Engineer Kelvin Jones will be serving as a Guardians on this honor flight and have served as guardians on other flights before. Both are very involved with veteran related events and organizations as a way of giving back. Lt. Wilson served in the United States Navy. D/E Jones served in the United Stated Air Force and served multiple tours in the Gulf War.

Upon arrival the plane load of veterans will not only be greeted by the throngs of excited and thankful well-wishers but also by the LFD's Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) truck which will hose down the plane in an honorary gesture. The entire department is looking forward to participating in both the parade and Honor Flight reception. The public is welcome to attend and all LFD personnel are encouraged to participate.

For more information about the parade from the event organizer, please click here.

For more information about the Honor Flight reception from the event organizer, please click here.

For more information about the Honor Flight Network, please click here.